OUR MISSION

The mission of The Open Door is to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community.

We use practical strategies to connect people to good food, to advocate on behalf of those in need,

and to engage others in the work of building food security.

Our Impact

You made a difference in 2023!

Our Team

President & CEO

Julie Hazen LaFontaine
978-283-6776 ext. 200

Director of Operations

Jennifer Perry
978-283-6776 ext. 202

Director of Development

Sarah Grow
978-283-6776 ext. 206

Director of Finance and HR

Marcia Hubbard
978-283-6776 ext. 209

Director of Thrift Operations

Susan Zwart
978-283-4298

Communications Manager

Kelsey Richards
978-283-6776 ext. 226

Food Acquisition and Distribution Manager

Gary Sprague
978-283-6776 ext. 207

Board of Directors

Chris Barker, Chair

Tracy Davis, Vice Chair

Dennis Doolin, Treasurer

Irene Josephson, Clerk

Jason Andree, Director

Tom Cronin, Director

German Disla, Director

Rebecca Fortado, Director

Vicki Godfrey, Director

Kerry McKenna, Director

Brandon Pratt, Director

ANNUAL FACT SHEETS

OUR GROWTH

Feeding people and changing lives for four decades.

Jun 1978

Food Pantry Forms

Cape Ann Food “Bank” forms with leadership from Action Inc., Rockport Congregational Church, and Cape Ann Interfaith Commission.

Jun 1978
Apr 1983

The Open Door Forms

The Open Door, a Place of Hospitality Inc. forms under the leadership of Wellspring House Inc.

Apr 1983
Jan 1985

The Open Door Joins the Greater Boston Food Bank

Our partnership with GBDB allows us to receive and distribute USDA Commodities.

Jan 1985
Jul 1986

The Open Door merges with Cape Ann Food “Bank.”

Jul 1986
Mar 1993

We Move to 28 Emerson Avenue in Gloucester

Our new home allowed us to expand our pantry operations and begin planning to offer on-site meals.

Mar 1993
Jun 2001

The Open Door HOLDS ITS First Empty Bowl Dinner

Jun 2001
Jul 2002

Summer lunch program launches at Riverdale Park and Willowood Gardens

Jul 2002
Nov 2002

Holiday Meal Basket program Launches

Formerly Turkey Dinner Baskets, we offer baskets for Thanksgiving and Holiday meals.

Nov 2002
Jul 2003

Summer Meals for Kids Launches

Program grows to meet need from 2 to 21 sites to provide free meals to children (18 and under) during the 10 weeks of summer vacation.

Jul 2003
Oct 2003

SNAP Advocacy Assistance Begins

We begin offering Food Stamp (SNAP) application and advocacy assistance. In 2017 we earned a 95% approval rating from Department of Transitional Assistance.

Oct 2003
Nov 2003

Job Training program and community service program formalizes.

Nov 2003
Dec 2003

Second Glance relocates to present address at 2 Pond Road

Dec 2003
May 2004

Food Rescue Program formalized

May 2004
Mar 2005

Mobile market Launches

Mobile Market, a free farmers’ market for low-income households, launches at Riverdale Park.

Mar 2005
Feb 2006

Mobile Market Opens new site at Willowood Gardens

Feb 2006
May 2007

Mobile Market GROWS to meet needs

Mobile Market adds 9 new sites between 2007 and 2015, including schools, senior centers, and a 2-year temporary site for homeless families living in motels on the North Shore.

May 2007
Apr 2010

Food Pantry purchases 28 Emerson from Wellspring House Inc.

Nutrition Department expands with Garden Project, cooking classes and Taste Tests. Prescription Food Bag launches with Addison Gilbert Hospital.

Apr 2010
Jun 2011

Good Food Box Launches

Now called Maridee’s Good Food Box, this program helps vulnerable populations better manage health conditions and diet.

Jun 2011
Apr 2012

The Open Door Launches Three New Programs

Nutrition guidelines and training for volunteer catering groups;
Fruit & Vegetable Campaign launches with gluten-free products;
PowerSnack, an after-school supper program.

Apr 2012
Jan 2013

Second Glance Expands

This expansion included retail, processing areas, Furniture Annex and our donation center.

Jan 2013
Mar 2014

Family Supper opens on Tuesday nights.

Mar 2014
Jul 2015

Pantry Operations Expand

2,000 square foot warehouse expansion and Gloucester Pantry reconfiguration for Client-Directed Trauma-Informed Care service.

Jul 2015
Feb 2016

Ipswich Pantry Services Launch

All volunteer Ipswich Food Pantry merges with The Open Door and forms our new satellite Ipswich Community Food Pantry at Agawam Village to expand service area from 5 to 10 communities.

Feb 2016
Mar 2016

More Services Added for Families in Need

We added diaper bank and a menstrual hygiene products in partnerhip with Period Partners.

Mar 2016
Aug 2017

The Open Door Continues to add new Services

Mobile Market opened two new school sites at North Shore Community College in Danvers and Winthrop Elementary School in Ipswich.

The On Your Mark! Workforce development program for young adults (ages 16-21) launches.

We hired our first Registered Dietitian to expand health and nutrition, offers nutrition counseling and workshops.

Aug 2017
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